Shower curtain and installation therefor



D. KIRSHENBAUM 3,101,485

SHOWER CURTAIN AND INSTALLATION THEREFOR Filed Jan. 24, 1961 Aug. 27,1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

DAV/l7 K/RSHENBA UM BYdlja FWMMM 1963 D. KIRSHENBAUM 3,101,485

SHOWER CURTAIN AND INSTALLATION THEREFOR Filed Jan. 24, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet 2 \9 IN VEN TOR.

DA VLD KIRSHENBAUM Aug. 27, 1963 D. KIRSHENBAUM SHOWER CURTAIN ANDINSTALLATION THEREFOR Filed Jan. 24, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

DA V/D KIRSHENBA UM 3461A? wWM 3,101,485 SHGWER CURTAIN AND INSTALLATIONTHEREFOR David Kirshenbaum, l Hemallin Road, Cranston, RI. Filed Jan.24, 1961, Ser. No. 84,711 4 Claims. (Cl. 4146) The present inventionrelates to a shower curtain and installation therefor. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates :to a water retainingcuntain construction for use in a shower bath installation wherein theshower curtain is adapted to be moved from its position of use to astorage area, the position of the shower curtain in the storage areabeing nonparallel with respect to the water retaining position thereof.

In shower installations known heretofore, the water retaining curtainhas been normally constructed of fabric and suspended from a top rail.The fabric type of shower curtain has been used both in bathtub showerinstallations and in the stall type of shower. Permanent types of showerinstallations have also been utilized wherein plate glass doors areeither sl-idably mounted such as on a bathtub construction or pivotal-1ymounted such as in a stall shower. In the sliding door type of showercurtain for use in conjunction with bathtubs, doors are normally mountedbetween trackways one of which is located on the top outer portion ofthe bathtub wall and the other of which is suspended between the endwalls that define the walls between which the bathtub is installed.Although the sliding type of water retaining curtain is satisfactory forretaining the water within the bathtub enclosure when the shower fixtureis utilized, it has been found objectionable because it reduces theentrance area when only the bathtub is to be used. Furthermore, the useof the sliding doors makes the cleaning of the tub difficult in that theentrance area of the bathtub is reduced. Moreover, the prior knownsliding door construct-ion restricts the effective use of the tub suchas, for example, when bathing children. In addition, the cost of thesliding door type of curtain is relatively high and in many instancesprohibits the use thereof.

The present invention is adapted to overcome the attendant difiicul-tiesexperienced with the prior known types of shower curtains and slidingdoor constructions and incorporates a relatively inexpensive movablecurtain assembly that is adapted to be used both with conventionalbathtubs and stall showers. When used with the conventional bathtub, theshower curtain assembly embodied herein may be assembled on the bathtubwithout modifying the tub structure. The shower curtain of the presentinvention is constructed in a unique manner of interconnecting aplurality of flexible plastic panels to define a one-piece cuntainconstruction that is not only decorative and ornamental in appearancebut is also resistant to wear. In addition, the shower curtain defines awater repellant construction that effectively seals the bathtub andprevents leakage therefrom during the use of the shower spray fixture.In applying the present invention to a conventional bathtubconstruction, specially formed trackways are employed that are adaptedto be secured to the end walls of the bathtub, the trackways being cutto size so as to be adaptable for any size bathtub. One of the uniquefeatures of the shower curtain of the present invention is that in thenormal position of use when enclosing an entranceway to a shower bathinstallation it is located in a generally vertical plane, but when notin use it is located such that it is nonparallel with respect to itsposition of use. When employed in a conventional bathtub installation,the shower curtain is adapted to be elevated to a storage area and ismoved in the trackways that are formed in an arcuate configuration to aposition 3,ll,i85 Patented Aug. 27, 1963 2 wherein it defines a canopythat overhangs the bathtub. When used in a stall shower, the showercurtain is moved from the entrance opening to a nonparallel positionwith respect thereto, which position is defined by location of theshower curtain along a side wall of the stall shower.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a curtainconstruction for use in a shower bath installation that is adapted toeffectively cover the entrance area of the shower bath installation andis moved to a storage area when not in use, the storage area positionbeing nonpara-llel with respect to the position of use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower curtainfor use in a shower bath installation that is formed of a plurality ofplastic panels that are inter locked along the edges thereof to fonrn aflexible, onepiece construction.

Still another object is to provide an improved shower bath curtain whichis adapted to be installed with presently used shower installations.

Still another object is to provide a shower curtain that is adapted tobe utilized with a conventional bathtub and is mounted in trackways thatare secured to the end walls that define the bathtub installation.

Still another object is to provide a shower curtain for use in aconventional bathtub that is mounted in trackways that are secured tothe end walls of the bathtub, a portion of the trackways beingvertically located and a second portion of the ttrackways being arcuatein configuration so that when the shower curtain is removed from itsposition of use it defines a canopy over the bathtub.

Still another object is to provide a curtain for use in a showerinstallation that is formed of a plurality of panels that have acorrugated configuration and that have a bead formed on one end and asocket formed on the other end so that the panels may be interlocked inedgeto-edge relation.

Still another object is to provide a novel trackway for use in a showerbath installation in which a curtain is slidably mounted.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated byme for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a bathroom area showing theinstallation of the shower curtain construction embodied in the presentinvention on a conventional bathtub;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the invention illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 in FIG. 2 and showingthe shower curtain located in the water retaining position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the showercurtain moved to the storage area thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5--5- in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 77 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 88 in FIGIQ;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a modified form of atrackway;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a stall shower installa-, tion showingthe shower curtain embodied herein covering the entranceway thereof;

'FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 11- -11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11 showing the showercurtain in the storage area thereof; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-l3 in FIG. 12. 7

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, abathroom arrangement is illustrated that includes a bathtub and showercombination that is adapted to be used with the shower curtaininstallation embodied in the present invention. It is understood,however, that the shower curtain installation embodied herein may beutilized with other known types of bathtub constructions. As illustratedin FIGS. 1 through 4, a bathtub Ill having an outer rim portion 12 isinstalled in a recess that is located between walls 14 and 16 of thebathroom. The recess is defined by end walls 18 and 2b and a rear wall22 that form a three-sided enclosure for the bathtub l8. Projecting fromthe wall 18 are the usual hot and cold water valve handles 24 and 26which are adapted to be adjusted to control the amount and temperatureof water flowing through a spout 28. A shower spray head 38 is alsomounted on the wall 18 in an elevated position with respect to thecontrol handles 24 and 26, and the flow of water therethrough iscontrolled by a valve handle 32 positioned therebelow on the wall 18.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the shower curtain installationembodied in the present invention is shown mounted over the bathtub It}and includes a curtain assembly generally indicated at 34 and opposedbrackets generally indicated at 36 and 38 that define trackways forguiding the movement of the curtain assembly 34. As will be apparentfrom the description of the shower curtain installation hereinafter, thesecurement thereof in position over the bathtub It) requires littlemechanical ability and the use of only household tools, and furthermoredoes not necessitate any modification of the bathtub structure.

The trackways 36 and 38 are similarly formed and for purposes of thedescription thereof reference will be made to trackway 38, a section ofwhich is illustrated in FIG. 8. It is understood that the trackway 36dilfers from the trackway 38 only in the direction of curvature of thetop portion thereof, as will be described. The trackways 36, 38 areformed in a channel configuration, the open side of each channel facingin the direction of the other trackway. Referring to FIG. 8, the channelsection of trackway 38 is shown being defined by side walls 40 and 42that are joined integral to a rear wall 44, the rear wall 44 beingplaced in flush engagement against the end wall 28 of the bathtubenclosure. Both the traclcways 36 and 38 include a generally verticalportion 46 that extends in a linear direction upwardly from the outerrim 12 of the bathtub 10. A generally arcuate portion 48 extends in anonparallel direction with respect to the vertical portion 46 and isformed integral therewith, curving inwardly with respect to the bathtubso that it terminates adjacent the rear wall 22. A pin 49 is mounted atthe extreme inner end of the arcuate portion 48 and defines a stop forlimiting movement of the curtain assembly when it is moved to thestorage position thereof. The trackways 36, 38 are secured to theirrespective end walls by any suitable screws or bolts that extend throughopenings that are formed in the rear wall 44 of the trackways. It isseen that in mounting the trackways 36, 38 on the end walls 18 and 20,it is not necessary to modify the end walls or the bathtub Ill, and theinstallation is easily acomplished by extending the screws or boltsthrough the openings formed in the rear walls 44 of the trackwaysthereby securing the trackways to their respective end walls.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7, the curtain assembly 34 isillustrated in detail and as shown is defined by a plurality of panelsindicated at 50 that are adapted to be disposed in interlocking relationalong the edges thereof. The panels 50 are preferably formed of a waterresistant material such as linear polyethylene and cooperate together todefine a relatively flexible curtain construction. Referring to FIGS.and 6, the construction of the panels 50 is more clearly illustrated,and as shown, each of the panels is formed with a beaded edge 5-2 at theupper end thereof that is of a solid construction and is further formedwith a socket portion 54 at the lower end thereof. In assembling thepanels 50, the upper beaded edge 52 is telescopically engaged with thesocket portion 54 of the adjacent panel, and normally about seven panelsare required to obtain the height necessary to adequately cover theentrance area to the shower bath installation over the tub Ill. In orderto increase the strength of the curtain assembly, each panel is moldedwith an undulating surface, the undulating surface not only addingrigidity to the complete curtain assembly but further adding to theornamental effect thereof. The curtain assembly is completed byproviding a metallic strip 56 at the lower end thereof and a hollow rod58 at the upper end thereof, the metallic strip 56 being formed with abeaded portion 68 that coacts with the hollow socket portion 54 of thelowermost panel 58. The strip 56 is further formed with a slot 62 in thelowermost edge thereof for receiving an upstanding bead 64 of a sealingmember 66. The sealing member 66 defines the lower edge of the curtainassembly and includes a downwardly and inwardly directed flap 68 thatprojects within the bathtub enclosure when the curtain assembly is inthe position of use as shown in FIG. 3 and thereby directs downwardlygravitating water within the interior of the bathtub 10 that emanatesfrom the shower head 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the beaded edge of theuppermost panel 58 telescopically fits within the hollow rod 58, whichcooperates with the metallic strip 56 to lock the panels therebetw'een.

The panels 5% are vertically dimensioned such that when they areinterconnected in edge-to-edge relation they define a complete curtainassembly that when disposed in the position shown in FIG. 1, completelyenclose the entrance to the'bathtub, the upper rod 58 being disposedsomewhat vertically above the shower spray head 30. The

rod 58, socket portions 54 and the metallic strip 56 are constructed andarranged such that the outer ends thereof are slidably received withinthe trackways 36 and 38, the dimensions of the walls 40, 42 of thetrackways being sufiicient to effectively retain the panels 58, rod 58and metallic strip 56 in proper aligned relation.

In order to produce the sliding movement of the curtain assembly 34within the trackways 36, 38, handles 70 and '72 are provided and aresecured to the outer and inner surfaces of the metallic strip 56. Eitherof the handles 70 or 72 may be grasped and moved in the desireddirection to effect movement of the entire curtain assembly.

In the position of use, the curtain assembly 34 encloses the entrancewayto the bathtub It} as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 and defines a waterretaining curtain that is adapted to effectively retain water within thebathtub enclosure when the shower spray head 30 is used. When theoccupant of the bathtub either enters or leaves the bathtub enclosure,the curtain assembly 34 must be moved to the upper or stored positionthereof, and this is accomplished by simply elevating the curtainassembly to the position shown in FIG. 4, the pin 49 limiting themovement thereof; In moving the curtain assembly to the stored position,the flexibility of the interconnected panels 5! enables the curtainassembly to assume a curved configuration as the panels follow thearcuate formed sections 48 of the trackways 36, 38. In this storedposition of the curtain assembly, the entranceway to the bathtub iscompletely exposed so that the occupant may easily enter or leave thebathtub. Within the curtain assembly disposed in the stored position asseen in FIG. 4, the bathtub may also be utilized in the conventionalmanner, Without any encumbrance such as would be present in the priorknown sliding glass panel constructions.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a modified form of a trackway is illustratedand is generally indicated at '74. The trackway 74 is defined by sideWalls 76 and an end wall 73, the side walls 76 being formed with slots80. A plastic insert 82 is adapted to be slidably mounted in each sideWall and for this purpose is provided with a projection 84 that extendsinto the slot 89. An extension 86 projects inwardly into the 'trackwayand in efiect lines the side wall, the opposed extensions 36 beingadapted to slidably receive the ends of the panels 50 therebetween. Itis seen that the use of the plastic inserts 82 provides a more effectivebearing surface for the sliding panels and will aid in producing a morequiet and smooth operation of the curtain assembly during movementthereof.

Referring now to FIGS. through 13, a modified form of the invention isillustrated wherein a curtain assembly generally indicated at 88isadapted to be installed in a conventional shower stall generallyindicated at 9 h. The shower stall 90 is defined by a front wall 92,side walls 94 and 96, and a rear wall 98, the front wall 92 being formedwith a conventional opening 100 that defines the entranceway to thestall shower. The side wall 96 may have the conventional shower head andcontrols mounted thereon as iswell known-in the art. Brackets 1ii2'and104 that are formed in an L configuration are secured to the top andbottom portions of the front wall 84 in spaced relation and are furthersecured to the side wall 86 to form nonparallel but continuous trackwaysfor receiving the curtain assembly 85. The curtain assembly 88 isconstructed similarly to the curtain assembly 34 except that thelongitudinal axes of the panels thereof extend in a generally verticaldirection as opposed to the generally horizontal arrangement illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower trackway 164 isprovided with suitable openings 106 which not only enable screws 108 tobe conveniently inserted into the walls of the stall shower 96 butfurther define relief openings for permitting water that has fallen intothe trackway 94 to drain to the shower floor. The upper trackway 102 isalso formed with suitable openings 110 that provide access to screws 112for securing the trackway 102 to the walls of the stall shower. In theposition of use, when the shower is in operation, the curtain assembly88 is located in the position illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, whereinthe entranceway defined by the opening 100 is closed, thereby enclosingthe interior of the stall shower. Whenthe user is either desirous ofentering or leaving the stall shower, the curtain assembly is slidablymoved within the trackways 104 and 106 to the position shown in FIG. 12wherein it is disposed in parallel relationwith respect to the side wall94. The entranceway tilt) is then opened for exposing the interior ofthe shower. In order to facilitate movement of the curtain assembly,outer and inner handles 114 and 116 are provided and are similar to thehandles '70 and 72 described above in connection with the curtainassembly 34.

The construction of the shower curtain installation in both forms of theinvention is unique in that it includes trackways, each of which areformed with a first section that extends in a linear direction, thelinear first sections defining a space therebetween that forms theentrance to the shower installation. The remaining portion of eachtrackway is continuous with the linearly extending portion and extendsin a nonparallel direction with respect thereto. The linear sections ofthe trackways support the curtain assembly in the water retainingposition whereas the remaining sections that are nonparallel withrespect to said linear sections define a storage area and are adapted tosupport the curtain assembly in a position that is nonparallel withrespect to the normal position of use thereof.

By providing for the complete removal of the curtain assembly from theentrance of the bathtub, for example, a more flexible use of the tub isprovided since the tub can be more easily adapted for tub or showerpurposes. It is seen, furthermore, that the curtain assembly isreadilyadaptable to any bath installation without requiring specialinstallation skills or special tools. If necessary, the installation maybe easily detached and mounted in another similar bath installation.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a water retaining curtain construction for use in a shower bathinstallation, a pair of track-ways secured to the walls of said bathinstallation in spaced relation, a portion of both said trackwaysextending in a linear direction and defining a space therebetween thatforms an entranceway to said shower bath installation, the remainingportion of each of said trackways being continuous with the linearlyextending portion thereof and extending in a nonparallel direction withrespect thereto, a curtain assembly comprising. a plurality of flexibleinterconnected panels that extend between said trackways, the opposedends of said panels being received within said traclcways for slidablemovement therein, the height of said curtain assembly beingsubstantially equal to the linear portion of said trackways, saidcurtain assembly being locatable in a first position wherein said panelsspan said entranceway to enclose said shower bath installation forretaining water therein when said shower bath installation is in use,and being movable in said trackways from said first position in anonparallel direction with respect to the location thereof in said firstposition to a second position, the flexibility of said panels permittingthe movement thereof in said nonpiarallel direction and said secondposition defining a storage area for said curtain assembly when theshower bath installation is not in use, each of said panels being formedwith an integral longitudinally extending solid beaded edge on one sidethereof and an integral longitudinally extending hollow socket portionon the other side thereof, the socket portion of each panel receivingthe solid beaded edge of the adjacent panel in snug fitting relationtherein so as to define a substantially continuous flexible curtainassembly.

2. In a shower of the stall type having a base, a front wall, rear wall,a first side wall and a second side wall, a shower fixture secured tosaid first side wall, an opening formed in said front wall and definingan entranceway to the stall shower, a pair of vertically spacedtrackways, linear sections of each track-way mounted on said front wallon opposite sides of said entranceway, both said trackways havingcontinuous portion-s joined to said linear sect-ions defined by a shortarcuate section that spans the intersecting area between said -frontwall and said second side wall and a second linear section secured tosaid second side wall, the second linear section of each trackway beingdisposed in a plane that is perpendicular to a plane in which the firstlinear section is disposed, and a flexible curtain mounted for sl-idablemovement in said trackways, said flexible curtain including a pluralityof flexible panels interconnected in edge-toe-dge snug fitting relation,said flexible curtain being movable from a first position on said frontwall wherein said entranceway is covered to a second position adjacentsaid second side wall wherein access through said entranceway isprovided, the width of said curtain being substanti-ally as wide as saidientranceway.

3. In a shower of the stall type as set iorth in claim 2,

' the longitudinal taxes of said panels extending in a generallyvertical direction.

4. Ina water retaining curtain construction for use in a shower bathinstallation, a pair of trackways secured to the walls of said bathinstallation in spaced relation, a portion of both said trackwaysextending in a linear direction and defining a space therebetween thatforms an entr-anceway to said shower bath installation, the remainingportion of each of said traclcways being continuous with the linearlyextending portion thereof and extending in a nonparallel direction withrespect thereto, a curtain assembly comprising a plurality of flexibleinterconnected panels that extend between said trackways, the opposedends of said panels being received Within said trackways for slidablemovement therein, the height of said curtain assembly beingsubstantially equal to the linear portion of said track-Ways, saidcurtain :asserribly being loeatab-le in a first position wherein saidpanels spa-n said entraneeway to enclose said shower bath installationfor retaining water therein when said shower bath installation is inuse, and being movable in said trackways from said first position in anonparallel direction With respect to the location thereof in said firstposition to a second position, the flexibility of said panels permittingthe move ten-t thereof in said nonparallel direction and said secondposition defining a storage area for said curtain assembly when theshower bath installation is not in use, each of said trackways beingformed in a U shaped configunation that is defined by spaced side wallsand an integral end Wall, the side walls of each tnackway having alongitudinally extending slot formed therein into which an insertprojects, each of said inserts including an extension that is positionedinteriorly of a side Wall in adjacent relation therewith to form aninner line-r therefor, said extensions thereby defining bearing surfacesfor receiving said panels in sliding relation therein, and each of saidpanels being formed with an integral longitudinally extending solidbeaded edge on one side thereof and an integral longitudinally extendinghollow socket portion on the other side thereof, the socket portion ofeach panel receiving the solid beaded edge of the adjacent panel in snugfitting relation therein so as to define a substantially continuousflexible curtain assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED .STATES PATENTS769,425 Wilson Sept. 6, 1904 2,354,485 Slaughter July 25, 1944 2,714,725Boone Aug. 9, 1955- 2,856,040 Dansereau Oct. 14-, 1958 2,877,511 ViolaMar. 17, 1959 2,914,775 Kautfrnan Dec. 1, 1959 2,936,463 Tracy May 17,1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,168,722 France Sept. 1, 1958 1,192,006 FranceApr; 13, 1959

2. IN A SHOWER OF THE STALL TYPE HAVING A BASE, A FRONT WALL, REAR WALL,A FIRST SIDE WALL AND A SECOND SIDE WALL, A SHOWER FIXTURE SECURED TOSAID FIRST SIDE WALL, AN OPENING FORMED IN SAID FRONT WALL AND DEFININGAN ENTRANCEWAY TO THE STALL SHOWER, A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACEDTRACKWAYS, LINEAR SECTION OF SAID OF VERTICALLY SPACED TRACKWAYS, WALLON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ENTRANCEWAY, BOTH SAID TRACKWAYS HAVINGCONTINUOUS PORTIONS JOINED TO SAID LINEAR SECTIONS DEFINED BY A SHORTARCUATE SECTION THAT SPANS THE INTERESTING AREA BETWEEN SAID FRONT WALLAND SAID SECOND SIDE WALL AND A SECOND LINEAR SECTION SECURED TO SAIDSECOND SIDE WALL, THE SECOND LINEAR SECOND OF EACH TRACKWAY BEINGDISPOSED IN A PLANE THAT IS PERPENDICULAR TO A PLANE IN WHICH THE FIRSTLINEAR SECTIONIS DISPOSED, AND A FLEXIBLE CURTAIN MOUNTED FOR SLIDABLEMOVEMENT IN SAID TRACKWAYS, SAID FLEXIBLE CURTAIN INCLUDING A PLURALITYOF FLEXIBLE PANELS INTERCONNECTED IN EDGE-TO-EDGE SNUG FITTINJGRELATION, SAID FLEXIBLE CURTAIN BEING MOVABLE FROM A FIRST POSITION ONSAID FRONT WALL WHEREIN SAID ENTRANCEWAY IS COVERED TO A SECOND POSITIONADJACENT SAID SECOND SIDE WALL WHEREIN ACCESS THROUGH SAID ENTRANCEWAYIS PROVIDED, THE WIDTH OF SAID CURTAIN BEING SUBSTANTIALLY AS WIDE ASSAID ENTRANCEWAY.